The Gary Duff Designs Blog

Ideas That Shape the Way Long Island Lives Outdoors

Design is always evolving, and so are the ways we live outside. The Gary Duff Designs Blog shares expert insight, creative inspiration, and time-tested advice from fifty years of landscape design and construction on Long Island, NY.

Outdoor living space with custom pergola, stone patio, and waterfront views in Port Washington, NY
Landscape design featuring layered plantings and a curved stone walkway beside a historic home in Cold Spring Harbor, NY

Explore Our Outdoor Living Insights

  • Create spaces that bring comfort, beauty, and purpose to everyday life.

  • Stay ahead with fresh perspectives from our design team.

  • Discover ideas that reflect the Long Island lifestyle.

  •  Learn how to prepare, plant, and maintain for year-round impact.

  • Practical ways to protect and preserve your investment.

Every article reflects the same principles that define our work: intentional design, enduring craftsmanship, and local expertise.

Where Inspiration Meets Expertise


From patio ideas that make entertaining effortless to seasonal landscaping tips that keep your property thriving, our team brings clarity and creativity to every topic. Whether you’re dreaming, planning, or maintaining, you’ll find guidance rooted in experience and love for the craft.

Outdoor Living, Outdoor Fireplace Katya Pankov Outdoor Living, Outdoor Fireplace Katya Pankov

Get the Most Use Out of Your Outdoor Fireplace This Spring in Old Westbury and Huntington, NY, Areas

If you are constantly dreaming about fun times spent outdoors with family and friends, why not get a jump start to the outdoor season by focusing on a new outdoor fireplace? With a few ideas, it could become an amazing place to relax and get some fresh air, even when the air is still frosty.

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Katya Pankov Katya Pankov

Snug Outdoor Kitchen Designs Perfect for Small Backyards in Babylon

When it comes to creating a lavish outdoor kitchen in Babylon, NY, size is not all that matters. Even though you may lack space in your backyard, there are various design tricks and techniques with which you can create a memorable outdoor kitchen. A functional, and fantastically fancy kitchen can be built from the bare essentials.

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Landscape Design, Masonry Katya Pankov Landscape Design, Masonry Katya Pankov

Revitalize your Two-Dimensional Deer Park Landscape Design using Retaining Walls

A flat expanse of grass, concrete, or stone can sometimes waste the full potential of an outdoor space. Regardless of how many square feet you own, there is virtually limitless vertical space available for you to wonder at and enjoy. Investing in tall structures like pergolas and pillars will go a long way in giving your Deer Park, NY, landscape a professional look while making it more interesting and unique.

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Katya Pankov Katya Pankov

Achieve the Height of Luxury with these Patio Ideas in Southampton

More Southampton, NY, homeowners are shying away from rustic or overly suburban backyards, and are opting for luxurious, hotel-like outdoor spaces instead. While it may seem like focus is being pushed from family entertainment to aesthetic, these glamorous spaces can still be intimate and enjoyable.

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